Pandan Chiffon Cake Recipe
This Pandan Chiffon Cake is a light, airy, and fragrant cake infused with the vibrant aroma of pandan leaves. Using a combination of whipped egg whites and a pandan-flavored batter, this classic Southeast Asian dessert delivers a soft, fluffy texture and a uniquely delicious flavor. Perfect for special occasions or an elegant everyday treat.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Pandan Liquid
- 120g pandan leaves (frozen or fresh)
- 5 tablespoons (71g) water
Dry Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups (200g) King Arthur Unbleached Cake Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 large egg yolks (84g to 99g), at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (63g) King Arthur Baker’s Special Sugar*
- 1/2 cup (99g) vegetable oil
- 5 tablespoons (75g) coconut cream, skimmed from the top of a can of unshaken coconut milk
Meringue
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (270g) egg whites, from about 8 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup (143g) King Arthur Baker’s Special Sugar*
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the bottom third. Prepare an ungreased 9 1/2” to 10″ round angel food cake pan.
- Prepare Pandan Liquid: Rinse and trim fresh pandan leaves to keep only dark green parts or use trimmed frozen pandan leaves. Cut leaves into 1″ pieces and place in a food processor with water. Blend until leaves resemble grass clippings.
- Strain Pandan Juice: Strain the pandan mixture using a fine mesh sieve or squeeze with cheesecloth/nut milk bag to extract about 90g of liquid.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
- Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar: Using a mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes until thick and pale yellow.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add pandan liquid, vegetable oil, and coconut cream to the egg yolk mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the sifted dry ingredients until the batter is evenly blended. Set aside.
- Make Meringue: In a separate bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar at medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add half the sugar and whisk to soft peaks, then add remaining sugar and continue whisking until stiff and glossy peaks form.
- Fold Meringue into Batter: Gently fold one-third of meringue into the egg yolk batter to lighten it, then carefully fold in the remaining meringue until no white streaks remain.
- Transfer to Pan and Remove Air Bubbles: Scoop batter into the angel food cake pan and run a toothpick or skewer around to release any large air bubbles.
- Bake Cake: Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325°F and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean, top is lightly browned, and the cake springs back when pressed.
- Cool Cake Upside Down: Remove cake from oven and cool inverted over the neck of a bottle to maintain height and texture.
- Remove from Pan: Once completely cool, run a thin metal spatula around the cake edges and turn out onto a serving plate. Garnish as desired.
- Storage: Store wrapped at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to one week.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better volume in whipping.
- Do not grease the cake pan to allow the batter to cling and rise properly.
- Be gentle when folding meringue to retain air and keep the cake light.
- Cooling cake inverted prevents it from collapsing and preserves its airy texture.
- Cracks on top are normal and do not affect taste or quality.
- Use fresh coconut cream skimmed from unshaken coconut milk for optimal richness.
Keywords: Pandan cake, Chiffon cake, Southeast Asian dessert, light cake, pandan chiffon, angel food cake